The leading character in a literary work is the________

The protagonist is the leading character in a literary work. This character is often the central figure in the story and is usually the one with whom the reader identifies or sympathizes. The protagonist is usually the hero of the story, and the events and conflicts in the plot revolve around this character. The protagonist is typically the main character who is trying to achieve a goal, overcome obstacles, and ultimately resolve the conflict in the story. The protagonist is often contrasted with the antagonist, who is the character or force that is working against the protagonist and trying to prevent them from achieving their goal. In this way, the protagonist plays a crucial role in shaping the events and outcome of the story, and is often the key factor in determining the overall meaning and message of the work.